SOURCE-SELECTION MATRIX + GOVERNANCE
ALL YEARS | PAGE 74D - GAP -> SOURCE ROLE -> OUTPUT -> STOP RULE -> 10 DECISIONS -> MASTERY GATE
D. 10 HIGH-DISCRIMINATION SOURCE DECISIONS
| # | Situation | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| 1 2 | Unsure about exam format, blueprint or eligibility Broad physiology/pathophysiology mechanism failure | Go to the official USMLE/NBME/NBOME source first; do not resolve policy from a prep-vendor summary. Use one structured/deep content source temporarily; require retrieval + fresh mixed questions before continuing. |
| 3 4 | Narrow pathology-pattern weakness Micro/pharm facts repeatedly forgotten but reasoning is sound | Use a targeted pathology review rather than restarting a full preclinical curriculum. Use a focused encoding/mnemonic source + spaced retrieval; keep the primary Qbank unchanged. |
| 5 6 | Clerkship management sequence is weak Physical exam / OMM performance is weak | Use a clinical framework + Step 2-style cases; extract the sequence and retest it in new vignettes. Use video/text for preparation, then observed hands-on practice and feedback. Do not substitute reading for motor performance. |
| 7 8 | Primary Qbank already active; another broad bank looks attractive Reference lookup repeatedly expands into long study sessions | Do not add it unless it has a distinct role. Depth of review and delayed transfer outrank parallel volume. Keep the reference point-of-need, time-box it, extract the decision-changing fact, then return to the case. |
| 9 10 | COMLEX-specific performance lags while shared clinical core is sound Readiness is uncertain despite heavy resource use | Add targeted COMLEX/OMM/interface practice and official NBOME calibration; do not duplicate the entire core. Stop adding content. Use recent official/school-approved calibration, error stability, timing and transfer to diagnose the next move. |
TOP 10 SOURCE-SELECTION CONCEPT - 10: CURATED MEANS FIT-FOR-PURPOSE, NOT MANDATORY OR ENDORSED
| DEEP EXPLANATION | WHY STUDENTS MISS IT | EASIEST CLUE |
|---|---|---|
| The Academy lists resources because they can serve recognizable instructional roles. A learner does not need all of them, and inclusion is not a guarantee of quality for every topic, school or exam cycle. The source stack should remain | A long curated list can be misread as a required shopping list, especially when many resources are popular or commercially branded. | For every active source, finish this sentence: “I am using this because ___; I will stop when ___.” If either blank is vague, reassess it. |
| auditable and replaceable. |
E. FINAL SOURCE-GOVERNANCE MASTERY GATE
| Gate | Pass condition |
|---|---|
| Source of truth Distinct role | Current official organization used for blueprint/format/eligibility/assessment questions. Every active resource has one named job; duplicate functions require an explicit reason. |
| Measurable output Stop rule | Use produces retrieval, reasoning, skill performance, question transfer or calibrated readiness evidence. Each supplement has a condition/date for pausing or dropping it. |
| Transfer Currentness | Repairs are confirmed with delayed retrieval, fresh cases/questions, observed skill or assessment trend. Important exam details are rechecked close to testing; provider features are verified before purchase/use. |
E. FINAL SOURCE-GOVERNANCE MASTERY GATE — ACADEMY POSITION: official exam organizations and the learner's school remain the source of truth for eligibility, format, scoring and required assessments. Commercial/provider resources are optional learning tools; descriptions reflect instructional fit and may change.
2026/27 review-expanded edition - verify official/provider updates and school requirements before use